Lesson 71 Pharmacist
I. Take roll
II.
Nature of work
1. Pharmacist are health care practitioners who specialize in dispensing drugs
prescribed by physicians and provide information about side effect and use
2. Pharmacist must understand the composition of medicine and keeping them
safe/pure and effective
3. Required by law to maintain records of drugs they handle
4. Most work in community pharmacies
a. Can be owned by pharmacist or drugstore chain
b. Sell- medical/sickroom supplies/health care supplies/laundry
detergent/stationary/food and snacks
5. Pharmacist work in hospitals/nursing homes
a. They buy/purchase/inspect/store distribute drugs/medication
6. Often they keep drug information libraries
a. Advise medical/nursing staffs about new drugs
7. Some pharmacist work in industry
a. Research/manufacture/sell medicines
III.
Education training
1. 6 years of training beyond high school
2. After 2/3 years of college- enter a 4 yr. program that results in a pharmacy degree
3. Many colleges of pharmacy require applicants to take-Pharmacy College
Admission Test
4. All states expect pharmacist to be licensed
a. Requirements- degree from college of pharmacy
IV.
Jobs
1. Most begin careers in hospitals or community pharmacy
V.
Advancement job outlook
1. Chain drug stores one could become a store manager
2. Hospitals one could become director of pharmacy services
3. Drug manufacturers
4. Some become administrators in:
a. Government agencies
b. Teachers/professors
c. Research
VI.
Working conditions
1. Work 40 hrs. a week
2. Self-employed work 50 hrs./week(evenings and weekends)
3. On feet for long hours
4. Need to be healthy and communicate with other professionals and the public
5. Be responsible and do- careful/detailed/confidential work
VII.
Salary
1. Average median salary $84,900
Lesson 72 Pharmacy technician
I. Take roll
II.
Nature of the work
1. Pharmacy technicians help pharmacist dispense prescriptions medication to
customers or health professionals
2. Work in retail pharmacy or hospitals
3. Pharmacy technicians do the following:
a. Take information needed to fill prescriptions
b. Measure amounts of medication for prescription
c. Package and label prescriptions
d. Organize inventory alert pharmacist of shortage of medications/supply
e. Accept payment and process insurance claims
f. Enter information/prescription taken into computer system
g. Answer phone calls from customers
h. Arrange for customers to speak with pharmacist if they have questions
4. Pharmacy technicians work under the supervision of a pharmacist
5. Need to operate automated dispensing equipment when filling orders
6. Pharmacy technicians working in hospitals or medical facilities
a. Prepare a greater variety of medications
b. May make rounds in hospitals giving medication to patients
III.
Work environment
1. Work primarily in pharmacies
2. Including ones in grocery stores and drug stores
3. Some work in hospitals or clinics
IV.
Working conditions
1. Most work full time
2. Can work night and weekends
V.
Education/training
1. High school diploma or GED
2. Typically learn from on-the –job-training
3. Some complete a post-secondary education program
4. In most states-require passing an exam///complete formal education or training
program
5. Education programs are offered at vocational schools/community colleges
a. Most award a certificate after 1 yr. or less
b. Some programs lead to associates degree
c. Subjects-math/record keeping/dispensing medication/law and ethics
d. Also learn the names/uses/doses of medication to give
e. Most programs include clinical experience(hands on)
6. License/certification/registration
a. High school diploma/GED
b. Criminal background check
c. Formal education or training program
d. Exams
e. Fees
f. Continuing education
7. Two organizations offer certificates
VI.
VII.
a. PTCB- pharmacy technicians certification board- requires HS diploma and
passing an exam
b. NHA-National health care association
 Must be 18 years old
 Have HS diploma
 Completed training program or have 1 yr. work experience
 Technicians must recertify every 2 yrs.-do this by completing 20 hrs.
continuing education courses
Salary
1. Low end $20,580
2. Avg. median $29,300
3. High end $42,400
Job outlook
1. Great due to population aging
2. Increased chronic disease such as diabetes
3. Advancement in pharmaceutical research lead to more prescription medication
4. Pharmacy technicians may take a greater role due to pharmacist performing
patient care activities (flu shots)
Lesson 73 Pharmaceutical sales representative
I. Take roll
II.
Nature of the work
1. Pharmaceutical sales representative are employed by drug companies
2. They distribute information about company product to:
a. Physicians/hospital nurses/medical technicians
3. They do not take orders
4. Try and persuade doctors to prescribe more of their companies drugs
5. Meeting appointment
a. Only have 5/6 minutes to discuss/talk
b. Describe companies newest product
c. Outline what a drug is designed to do and how it works
d. Explain advantages over older drugs
e. Convince doctors why their product is better than others
6. Understanding pharmacology
a. The study of drugs and their effects on humans
b. Dr.’s will question sales rep. about drugs and their side effects
c. Sales rep. need to know which drugs are of interest to Dr.’s who specialize
7. Sales reps have territories based on zip code
8. They make up itineraries/concentrating on Dr.’s who write the most prescriptions
a. This information is available from surveys of pharmacist
9. Sales reps may leave samples with Dr.’s – must keep careful accurate records
10. Sales rep characteristics
a. Speak clearly/concisely under pressure
b. Pleasant personality to build good relationship with Dr.
c. Able to accept rejection
d. 40% of Dr.’s will not see sales rep or listen when they are busy
III.
IV.
V.
Education training
1. High school diploma
2. College students with bachelor degree in science
3. 2 yrs. of college qualifies for most jobs
4. Drug companies provide on the job training
a. Selecting trainees on their verbal and social skills
b. Training consist of intensive study followed by supervised field work
5. Continuing in-service
a. Keep abreast of current medical and product knowledge throughout careers
b. Attend regular meeting to get product information
c. Must maintain a general knowledge of advances in medicine
6. Once a person is selected as a trainee the job is guaranteed
Working condition
1. Set own hours to fit Dr.’s schedule
2. Appointments early morning/lunchtime/evenings
3. Much time traveling and often have to sit and wait despite scheduled
appointments
4. Very competitive/stressful with other sales reps and Dr.’s limited free time
Salary
1. Commission account for large proportion of earnings
2. Average median salary $60,130